Intermediate Spanish students shared their experiential education projects with the community on March 31 in Brock’s Global Commons. Over the past academic year, students in SPAN 1F90 interviewed local Spanish speaking organizations to learn about their cultural impact and created videos in Spanish sharing what they learned about the organizations at an end-of-year gathering.
Brock News recently published a story about students using Spanish skills to tell stories of community impact.
A Brock project is spreading the word about the ways Spanish speakers contribute to the Niagara community while providing a meaningful opportunity for students to apply their language skills.
Students in SPAN 1F90 — offered by the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures (MLLC) — interviewed representatives from more than 10 local Spanish-speaking groups and businesses. The project was supported by Brock Co-op, Career and Experiential Education.
Through these conversations, students learned about organizations’ achievements, challenges and perspectives while building meaningful community connections.
Fourth-year Physical Education student Rohan Goldblatt (left) and first-year Kinesiology student Alejandra Hernandez (middle) interviewed Anyi Mendez, Director of Cultural Niagara Corporation (right) to learn about the large-scale cultural events the organization puts on to help build community for Spanish and non-Spanish speakers in Niagara.
First-year Kinesiology student Alejandra Hernandez and fourth-year Physical Education student Rohan Goldblatt interviewed Anyi Mendez, Director of Cultural Niagara Corporation (CNC).
Mendez and CNC host large-scale events in Niagara focused on celebrating cultural heritage including the St. Catharines Flower and Wine Festival and Dia de Muertos en Niagara.
Goldblatt was struck by how Mendez fosters connection through her work, especially for newcomers adjusting to life in the region.
“It is inspiring how Anyi and CNC are supporting people to overcome the challenges of moving to a new country and helping to connect them with others,” he said.
Through the interview process, Hernandez learned Mendez draws inspiration from her children, who have motivated her to create safe and welcoming spaces for families and people of all ages.
“That’s what hit us most — it only takes one person, with one goal, to create a whole community that grows and thrives,” Hernandez said.
CNC events not only provide opportunities for people to come together to enjoy food, music and culture, but serve the important purpose of passing on cultural traditions and heritage from generation to generation.
Goldblatt said learning about the cultural organization has helped him understand “the why” behind learning a language.
“Our lessons have gone beyond traditional readings and lectures. Verb conjugations are important, but having the opportunity to connect with a community member who is making a difference in people’s lives has been impactful,” he said.
Mendez said partnering with Brock as part of the course has been an honour.
“Being part of this project has allowed our organization to gain more visibility. By giving recognition to our work and sharing our events and stories, together with students, we are making a difference. Brock is also bringing Spanish and non-Spanish speakers together for shared experiences,” Mendez said.
Mendez’s perspective was one of many shared with the Brock and wider community on March 31 in Brock’s Global Commons. The event included a video screening of student work presented in Spanish followed by a panel discussion.
MLLC Instructor and project designer Erin Redmond said the goal was to raise awareness of the contributions of Niagara Spanish speakers to the region “while building connections among project participants and members of the wider community.”
Redmond presented the experiential project at the Modern Language Association Convention in January and will also present it at Brock’s Centre for Pedagogical Innovation’s Spring Perspectives on Teaching and Learning on Monday, May 4.
“Through hands-on learning, we are helping students improve language skills and grow their cultural knowledge,” she said.
Participating community partners included:
- Artesanía “I Am”, Yeimis Monsalve Mercado
- Bridges Niagara
- Cultural Diversity Festival
- Cultural Niagara Corporation
- Dulces Castillo
- Hope Transitional Homes Network
- Mi Casa 905
- Migrant Farmworkers Project
- Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers
- Quest Community Health Centres
- Welland McMaster Family Health Team